Nikon D90 is World’s First Video Recording DSLR

Nikon’s famous D90 digital SLR has been speculated on and outed again and again for weeks now, but Nikon sent out an official announcement today. Though the camera still has the usual fanfare of specifications, namely the 12.3 megapixel lens, Live View LCD, and ISO speeds from ISO 200 to ISO 6400, it also offers something DSLRs have lacked: the ability to record video.

The recording function does seem to be a bit limited at best. For example, 720p video is limited to five minutes because of the FAT32 2GB filesystem limitation, the camera lacks auto-focus while shooting video, audio is only captured in mono sound, and the motion JPEG compression the D90 utilizes results in a much larger file size when compared to more efficient codecs such as Divx or H.264.

But even with the D90’s somewhat noticeable gimmick-factor, the impressive lens and ISO capabilities will give many camcorders a run for their money. I can see many photography enthusiasts willing to pick this camera up to shoot gorgeous photos with the recording option as icing on the cake.

Incase you were curious to see what the video’s shot with the DSLR look like, Nikon has uploaded a video gallery to their website.

Now is the time for new creativity, and to rethink what a digital SLR camera can achieve. It’s time for the D90, a camera with everything you would expect from Nikon’s next-generation D-SLRs, and some unexpected surprises, as well. The stunning image quality is inherited from the D300, Nikon’s DX-format flagship. The D90 also has Nikon’s unmatched ergonomics and high performance, and now takes high-quality movies with beautifully cinematic results. The world of photography has changed, and with the D90 in your hands, it’s time to make your own rules.